AAAHHH It's Friday

I love Friday. Well, specifically I like Friday night. I can come home from school, get out of my ugly scrubs and crawl into my pj's. Then I settle into my chair to watch TV or read a book that is NOT respiratory related.

Friday night just feels different than any other night. I am so relaxed because there are no academic deadlines for Saturday. Billy will often ask, "so what are you going to do tonight"? and I say, "I'm doing it". I'm doing absolutely nothing and loving every minute of it.

So right now, this minute - I am so thankful for Friday nights.

A Great Book - An Inspiring Woman

This past weekend I was sick and unable to really focus on any respiratory studies, so I decided to read a recently purchased book that a friend had suggested. I was not only pleasantly surprised, but I was uplifted and inspired.

The author of the book, Immaculee Ilibagiza is a woman who survived the Rwanda genocide in 1994. I love this woman. I read her latest book, "Led By Faith", but am eager to read more about her story. This woman endured more than most of us will ever endure in our lifetime, but her faith in God and prayer is amazing.

Immaculee now lives in the United States, and is an inspirational speaker. I highly recommend any of the above books - of course I've only read the one, but I imagine they all reflect Immaculee's example of faith, courage and strength.

Starfish Story

I love the Starfish Story and it's really true what they say about finding starfish washed up on the shore. A couple summers ago I spent a week on the Oregon Coast, and every morning there were so many starfish just laying stranded on the beach. We of course couldn't save them all, but as the story states, we were able to make a difference to some of them by throwing them back into the ocean.

I am including the Starish story, and I love it's message that, "every act of kindness makes a difference".

The Starfish StoryOriginal Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”I made a difference for that one.”

Graduation Year 2009

It's finally 2009 - the year I have been waiting for. Graduation Year! I just have to make it to August. It's going to be tough, and I will have to use every brain cell God gave me, but I am determined to be successful - failure is not an option. I am in the final stretch, but it's the hardest part as I not only have to pass my remaining classes, but prepare to pass my exit exam and my two board exams. This will take many hours of studying and alot of prayer, but I know I can do this. Wish me luck!